What About Tattoos?
April 13, 2009
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Tattoos have become a mark of the 21st century. According to the August 4, 2008, issue of U.S. News & World Report, more than one quarter of those under the age of 30 adorn their skin with at least one. No longer is tattoo something reserved only for gang members, convicts, delinquents or social outcasts. In fact, many of the preachers’ kids of the largest churches in Australia, America and Europe have them on their bodies. And these PKs are by no means rebellious or unspiritual. Most of them are doing excellent jobs leading youth, music and creative ministries. Some are even deliberately using their tattoos as a bridge to connect with the unchurched in outreach efforts. However, for most people, a tattoo is simply a means of stylistic expression. Many middle-aged women may not tattoo patterns and designs, but they go to their aestheticians to tattoo their eyebrows, eyeliners and lip colors.
So, is tattooing a sin? Are Christians allowed to have them?
Those who argue against it often quote Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” The word for “tattoo” in its original Hebrew is qa-aqa, which appears only this one time in the entire Scripture. Proper hermeneutic requires us to read any Bible passage with the actual context in mind. Practically all Bible commentaries agree that the context of Leviticus 19 is God prohibiting the Israelites from adopting the religious practices of the pagan nations surrounding them. Adam Clarke’s Commentary of the Old Testament says that the pagans were carrying “marks on the body in honor of the object of their worship … for superstitious purposes … in honor of different idols.” Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible says that the practice “had religious significance among Israel’s pagan neighbors.” But what if there is no religious, superstitious or idolatrous implication? Is a believer allowed to tattoo then?
Technically, if one takes the view that Leviticus 19 prohibits tattooing for all people in all circumstances, then for consistency’s sake, one must also abide by all the letters of the law here. That includes no shaving around the sides of the head, and the mandatory keeping of beards for all men (v27), which is a near impossibility for any serving in the military today. That also includes not wearing clothes made of different fabrics (v19). Should we then also continue with slavery and the keeping of mistresses, both accepted practices during the ancient days of Leviticus (v20)? Should we continue the Old Testament dietary restrictions like no eating of pork, shrimp, crab or shellfish? What about headscarves for women? Do we need to enforce that on all Christian women today? Most of us will agree that the answers to all the above are an emphatic no.
Next, is God Himself abhorrent to tattoos? God says in Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. Your walls are continually before Me.” The word “inscribe” in Hebrew means “to engrave.” The scholars of The Living Bible simply translate that as “I have tattooed your name upon my palm.” When John saw a vision of God’s chosen 144,000, they were “sealed” and “written” with the Father’s name on their foreheads (Rev. 7:3; 14:1). Those words in the original Greek mean to “mark,” “stamp” and “engrave.” The book of Revelation also talks about false worshipers receiving the mark of the beast, which were called stigmata among the Greeks. To this Paul refers when he says, “I bear in my body the marks (stigmata) of the Lord Jesus” (Gal. 6:17). Whether the prophet Isaiah and the apostles John and Paul are speaking metaphorically or otherwise, one thing is for sure, body markings are not always repugnant to God. As such, we must be careful not to paint them as evil or sinful in a broad, general stroke.
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Theologians, like Tom Beaudoin, have done studies on youths who pierce or tattoo their bodies. They discovered that youths do that when they have had profound experiential encounters. Things that impact them deeply, like when they fall in love, get their hearts broken, graduate, start a new job, achieve something they are proud of, or lose a loved one through death. To the youths and young adults of the 21st century, tattooing (and body piercing) are often not something vain or rebellious, but more like a rite of passage. It is their way of expressing the spiritual in the physical, even at the expense of experiencing some bodily pain.
For most people, tattooing today is simply a means of personal and stylistic expression, much like clothing, makeup, hairstyle, body-toning and fashion accessorizing. There is nothing religious, superstitious and rebellious to the wearer; it is simply for aesthetic value.
Because tattooing is designed to last forever, and removal is painful and expensive, you should enter into it only after much consideration. Ask yourself the following:
- Am I at a legally acceptable age to get a tattoo?
- If I live with my parents, would they support my decision?
- Would I still want this tattoo when I get older?
- Am I really comfortable having it even if people may “unfairly judge” me?
- If my tattoo is visible to others, is it appropriate for my line of work?
Ultimately, tattooing is a personal choice that, more often than not, reflects neither a rebellious nature nor a religious inclination. It is clearly written in the Bible that God looks beyond the surface and sees the heart of a person. We must be careful not to judge a believer with tattoos as loving God less than the one without.
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Pastor this is great article. I think this really gives this topic a new light.
Pastor, this blog puts a new light on how we should look at tattoos. i think this will help many people to see a new perspective.
Fantastic article! Especially there are so many youth in more conservative country (and churches) are struggling between expressing themselves and trying to be a faithful obedient Christian. I believe this truth will set them free from guilt! :) thank you pastor!
Agreed with you pastor …. as Jesus will always welcoming sinner … so I don’t think Tattoos become symbol of bad. This is mostly depends on how we look into it. But the truth is, not to just people just because they have tattoos.
That’s really interesting! I’m glad that I have read this. I’m looking forward to more articles that helps me to understand more about this century’s society.
Hello Pastor Kong!
This post is so interesting, indeed, I’m intrigued. I agree that we shouldn’t judge/think poorly of people just because they have tattoos.
Keep writing! (:
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Dear Pastor, thank you for explaining your stand on the tattoos issue.
From a young age, tattoos to me were synonymous with gangsterism, and not religion. For that reason, I tend to view those with tattoos with a critical eye. However, over the years, as I get older, my views changed. I seen some done quite tastefully, not loud, but merely expression of an individual’s feeling at that particular point of time when the tattoo was done.
You were right that when one is considering ‘to tattoo’, think of the longer term implications and not the spur of the moment decisions. To be honest, I often wondered if I should go for a nice tattoo on my shoulder, a little flower or heart, etc., just for fun. But good sense prevail, because eliminating that would be painful. So, the solution for me is to go for those ‘paste on’ just for fun, with my heart still focused on God’s word.
Really? So why do we need to follow all those folks who tatoo themselves? Aren’t we as Christians supposed to LEAD and not follow the world? The bottom line: no, we can’t be legalistic about tatoos. No, we don’t need tatoos to be cool and get the attention of our peers.
Pst, i agree with you. I believe God looks at our hearts than our physical appearance. We need to please God not man.
Thanks Pst for such a clear explaination to tatooing.
hi Pastor,
it’ll be great if you can put up a regular column to address such “taboos” because so many christians are so deeply ingrained with convictions drawn as a result of receiving the wrong knowledge in church for so long. All the misconceptions about tatoos, wearing “skeleton” design t-shirts, going to pubs, listening to pop/rock music, ancestral worship, etc
Most of the taboos you have preached about before over the years, and it’ll be great to have them compiled so that christians can also use it as a resource to reach out (discuss misconceptions with non-christians, engange & answer their queries with the Correct info, etc) as well as to break our own paradigms as well.
Man, I really will think for a long time what I would tattoo on me. Maybe it would be taken so long time, that I just don’t get one…
I don’t know , but maybe tattooing names of the children would be cool… It’s a good memory to have through whole live
Thanks for researching on this Pastor. Great sharing.
Pastor i love your article on tattoos. It helped alot :D
Thanks for sharing this message Pastor, and I strongly agree with your last sentence here: “It is clearly written in the Bible that God looks beyond the surface and sees the heart of a person. We must be careful not to judge a believer with tattoos for loving God less than the one without?” We shouldn’t judge a person by his/her look not his/her past. As God look into our heart not our look..
Good article that helps us as the culture-engaging Christians see tattoo’s in a different angle.
this post is great! love it! God Blezz from Brunei!
Hi Pastor Kong,
It was very refreshing to see a post like this, with references to scripture to back it up. Quite often we get hung up with religion & do’s and don’t based on tradition or cultural taboo’s, and we find justification in scripture for it – and as a result we keep away the very person who Jesus died for, and who He commanded us to love – because we don’t like their external appearance etc.
We need more people in the Kingdom to be set free and reach out in love, not judgement!
Bless you,
Chris
Great stuff! Thanks so much Pastor :)
Pastor, this blog entry has put a new view on how we should look at tattoos, especially us, Christians. I think this entry will help many people to see a new perspective.
Anw, a lot of Christian have been wondering whether to put tattoo on their body which symbolise temple of God..
Thanks Pastor on clearing our doubt and give a good understanding explaination to us about tattooing…
Hi Pastor! I love this article! Thank you for such a clear explanation!
Well said Pst! Like the ‘rock’ music controversy in the 1980’s churches, the fruit always speaks louder than pseudo man-made theology
Hi Pst,
I have the utmost respect and admiration for you, especially love all your messages. I’ve never been one for tattoo or piercings on my body, perhaps I’m very traditional or conservative.
However, I do agree with the perspective that one should not judge others based on the physical appearance. It’s what in the heart that matters. Thus there should not always be a spiritual implication connected to tattoos or piercings.
The next in line for exploration ought to be plastic surgery then? How should one look upon artificially changing one’s looks through plastic surgery?
I understand from one of your previous messages that one of the things men look for in their wives is the point “attractive spouse”. To what extend should a lady, or indeed anyone, including men, try to remain attractive for his/her other half? Does artificially altering the body that God gave you the proper thing to do?
Perhaps I’m still not knowledgeable enough, but I feel that it would have been wrong if a man were to take a lady to be his wife, hoping to change her physically later on through plastic surgery. Perhaps when you have time, you could share what you feel on this issue?
Meanwhile, do enjoy your time with Sun and Dayan.
Funny, it appears as though I am in the realm of what our Holy Spirit trying to our Church and Christians. This morning I was on MRT, then there was this young man, had a Demon tatooed on the left side surface of his left leg. That ‘thing’ is gazing at me. Don’t know why, it just stirred me up to pray silently and rebuke the Thing (tatoo) that is gazing at me, I was really uncomfortable that the pair of demon eyes are gazine at me. I was laterally examining the fine detail of the tattoo art. Whoever is the artist is able to create the artwork that is so lifelike, it really take ones mind to be in that kind of spiritual mindset to craft out that kind of detailed art. It even has a skeleton at the forehead. I was asking myself why would he endured such pain to have this Demonic art on his body. Certainly it is not the blood and flesh that we are against. It is the inclination towards the liking and even worshipping of demonic present or culture that we are against. Maybe I could have ask him tactically “Where you tattoo this nice art? Why you choose demon instead of others” What would be his answer? I had taken the picture of this art work. Maybe I will post it in facebook and write something about it. Wonder if one day this man receive Salvation, will he remove the tattoo or be willing to face the staring of Church goers and to explain over and over again about why he tattoo the Demon face on his leg whenever being stared upon by them. Will these questions ‘Why’ make the person loose faith or get so sick of explaining that he quit being a Christian? Who knows? So my take is that if tattoo for art’s sake or for commemorating something, choose an art object appropriately to the occassion bearing in mind that this tattoo will stay for life and choose wisely the artwork. You never know how those tattoo might affect you or not in later stage of you life.
Wanted to amend my earlier post. Since this gentleman tattoo on his Left leg. Not an issue with Church goer since he would wear pants or jean. Only when in shorts, the tattoo would be exposed. Not much affected. Apology never think enough. Lolz
Awesome write-up pastor. Insightful
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Yes Pastor! Thanks for your amazing enlightment. I hope i can share this with other christians who are being condemned because of their appearance.
thx alot pst for posting this..
really sheds new light to those people who have a very biased view upon tattooing..
cheers :)
Pastor Kong, i totally agree with you.
at the same time, i would like to know, if is it alright if i want to have a tattoo, after being baptised, of a cross with my baptism name on it. what do you think?
HEY PASTOR!!!
I personally believe that there’s nothing wrong with tattoos too though I am not intending to get one… haha…
Hi Pastor, thank you for this deep insight into the issue of tattoos.I am guilty of judging my students and people who wear tattoos as rebellious, rude and wild. From tomorrow, when I look at these kids with tattoos, I will pay closer attention to the pictures and words in each design, and ask them to talk abt their significant moments.Maybe then, I might be more successful in reaching out to them and meeting their needs.
Hi Pastor Kong,
Thanks a Trillion for this wonderful write up. I think this clears a lot of people’s doubt. I totally agree with you, with the part you mentioned about Preacher’s kids elsewhere having tattoos. My aunt in law’s daughter ( my cousin that is ) who is a Pastor in Perth also has it on her ankle. Yeah, it can sometimes be used as tool to reach to the lost.
God looks into our hearts not our looks.
BTW i find the part when u mentioned about, having eye lashes tattooed funny.
Two Thumbs for you Pastor Kong !
Please help me edit if it does appear to be good. Thanks !
Hi Pastor Kong!
This is an enlightenment for a lot of people with limited knowledge about tattoo (i admit I’m one of those). I believe this article is a great help to have a better perspective…
Thanks a lot Pastor for keeping us motivated!
Pastor, this article helps me to relate to LA Ink show on Travel Channel. These people tattooed to remind them of an important person or event in their lives.
Though before your article I do not think tattooing is a sin, I find the fact that tattoo leaves a permanent “mark” on your skin uncomfortable. Well, now I know even our God does it! :)
I really appreciate the time taken to deal with this issue on tattoos, i personally would have continued to treat people with tattoos differently.
Especially where you said God looks at the heart and not the exterior of the body. However, i hope youths and adults will consider the choices before t hem before getting a tattoo.
Sincerely
I think in terms of taboo it’s not so much getting the tattoo itself but the consequences it draws. For example you won’t be able to get a respectable job here in Australia if you have tattoos, tattoos are strictly banned in certain career progressions. I say the taboos surrounding it is very much political.
I personally think it could become a sin and that’s why I don’t sport a tattoo because it is a form of artistic ideological worship permanently engraved on your flesh. It’s like the time I had earrings and was told not to because with the kind of relationship I have with G-d.
So I donned the earrings anyway because I have a tendency to challenge the status quo, I ended up with such a terrible infection I had to see a plastic surgeon for surgical removal of the overblown flesh. So no I wouldn’t take the risk with tatts.
It became an issue everytime I had a vision/dream and I had to remove the earrings because it became a barrier at times with a life of its own, some earrings were downright demonic. I’m not saying earring are wrong but it really depends where you stand in His holy realm.
Tatts on the other hand is kind of Hellenistic almost Pagan, it is a form of artistic expression with a life of its own, it could become a barrier depending on who put the tattoo on, what is the tattoo and the type of scientific technology brandishing its mark.
We live in a such a high commercial, market driven society we forget what tattoos could signify marks either for or against holiness. I don’t believe there’s any grey here, your tattoo is either for or against holiness and I have my doubts most of them were driven by religious inclination.
There are tattoos for priests spanned from generation to generation for religious callings as well as tattoos in war torn militia regions supporting a dictator, also common in religious sects plus gangs. We seem to think a nice pretty tattoo is ok but its not. If you can control your desire for artistic expression using technological brandishings on your flesh then don’t do it.
There isn’t much to be gained here unless to satisfy own pleasures, reaching out to the lost is His prerogative, whether you sported a tattoo or wore a green shirt that day are worldly standards percieved by you not G-d. Eitherway the taboos that surround people who sport tattoos can be unfair but I can see where this taboo originates from.
If you can afford not to get a tattoo then don’t, just like preserve your virginity until marriage. If there’s such a desire to reach out to the lost sporting tattoos then why not get a fake one and rub it off later. Although I do agree we shouldn’t judge anyone with tatts, what’s done is done, that’s their problem, we’re all sinners and there is no measure in sin, but if you can afford not to, don’t get a tattoo.
I heard of a testimony that there was this man whose body was tattooed had accepted christ and went for the water baptism, after submerging in the water he came out cleansed and washed off from all tattoos,
Just wondering if it s approved why in the first place his tattoo was cleansed off after water baptism
Yes! Pastor. Just like what you mentioned in your article, ” We must be careful not to judge a believer with tattoos as loving God less than the one without.” That’s truly the principle for all the things in our daily lives. Thank you for giving a solution for the 21st Christians.
Hi Pastor,
This post is awesome. Thanks you so much! I personally find it especially helpful in aiding me to explain better as me and my friends, we are constantly questioned about this issue. Awaiting more blog posts from you, pastor =). I never seize to draw much from the things you preach and your blog posts =))
God bless always.
Yes, after my first post. I started to think of why I was make to see this tattoo and think about it. Then, I started to think of a tattoo shop I once passed by at Golden Landmark. The inside of tattoo shop is dimly lighted up, uneasy feeling even just passing be and most of the arts used depict the dark side of the world. Snakes, demonic figures, gangsteric tattoo, bloodshed, violent, cults, depicts love (what kind of love? Mostly lusts), even rose and butterfly are for those rose gang. However, tattoo begin to deviates from its original intent, thus you have people tattoo for fun, celebration, commemorating events. Now that our Lord Jesus had ascended to throne. Most of Bible annotation for things is of spiritual. I already have this concern that people will start to misuse this knowledge as their passport to tattoo. Even worst, people may start to misuse Bible verse to justified to have tattoo where their natural parent strongly objected to it.
I do agreed with Sonia “If you can afford not to get a tattoo then don’t, just like preserve your virginity until marriage. If there’s such a desire to reach out to the lost sporting tattoos then why not get a fake one and rub it off later. Although I do agree we shouldn’t judge anyone with tatts, what’s done is done, that’s their problem, we’re all sinners and there is no measure in sin, but if you can afford not to, don’t get a tattoo.”
While we as a good steward of church want to show love, that is we don’t give cold shoulder to those who already had tattoo nor judge them because God look deeply into one’s heart and soul, we don’t purposely encourage tattoo. Why suffer this pain to misfigure your skin, a natural wonderful creation of God to his likeness? I had seen people removed their tattoo with acid, it is ugly, the skin that once had tattoo is like badly burnt skin. Why spent this money? Would it be better to endure more (then enduring pain for tattoo) reaching out to the lost and use this money (saved from tattoo) for more useful purpose, for example, I was being touched by the Book of Heaven is so Real, I bought a couple of them and give out to various friends including some oversea.
Those thinking of having tattoo, Please, Please talk to those who had been trying to remove their tattoo, let them tell you their pains.
Hi Pastor,
What a great article! It has given me a great revelation on it. I’m sure everyone will have clearer idea & understanding about tattoos.
Live the Anti-thesis..not pro-thesis..
This is what i learnt in a short-term Bible School.
why should we follow the world?why should we follow the trend of 21st Century?
I am quite surprised that there is only one comment that i really agree with-TONY
Well..homosexuality is the mark of the 21st Century too!! Does this mean that homosexuality is also allowed among believers?
At first, why do tattooings become an issue among Christians?i mean, why is there so many debates in it?is it because that God really like that?or the other way round, God dislike them, so there are many Christians that confused? if it is a correct doings, why do we need to debate on it? Why do we need this forum?Why will there be so many judgments on tattooed-believer?For me, it is something that affect our testimony being His disciples.Because people feel weird, abnormal.. it’s the same situation as in homo. Why do so many homosexuals try to legalise themselves?because in the beginning, it’s wrong!
i cried when i saw your text and the responses..why churches now…Oh God!
You may disagree with me.Anyway, this is the heart of a young-girl, of how she looks on the world and churches of the 21st Century.
We shall truly not to follow the world!
Great blog Pastor
I am from a C3 Church in the uk and I have just got a tattoo. I didn’t just rush out and get it done I prayed & researched the subject.
I decided that I wanted a tattoo that symbolized the Holy Spirit on my life but I didn’t want something that would bible bash people.
The tattoo I have is totaly original & I have had a lot of great comments about it. The greatest thing about it is that non Christians ask about it & I am able to tell them the true meaning of it.
I am not great at starting conversations or telling people about God but the tattoo has given me an opening to start talking.
Yo Kong…. i feel yah, clean hands and a pure heart and you will ascend the hill. attitude plays a large part and the motive of ones heart…. what a dope post…. dig it, keep em coming and get back to chicago soon.
see you @ envision 2009 June 21-28
http://iHateChurch.com/blog
Hi Sonia, thanks for your insight. However, I feel that tattooing is really a personal decision and should not carry that much of a religious essence or reasoning. Like what was stated in the main article, tattooing is more like a stylistic expression of personal experiences. It will really be meaningless if you get a tattoo to show off or even for the sake of witnessing or getting into your circle of friends yet there is no wrong or right as long as tattoos signifies something in a person’s life.
I know of a God-loving friend who sport a single “wing” tattoo on her belly. This signifies certain stage in her life when she is going through a very tough time and that God has seen her through every moment. She marks it down as a remembrance to be thankful to God for what she’s been through. (People are forgetful and she’s chosen this way to write her story) Single-wing also meant she can’t fly and soar as much as she wanted. She is in fact looking forward to complete her full wings!!
That’s why getting a tattoo is indeed a personal thing :)
Wow Pastor, this is a good one. It really opens up my mind.The word of God really illuminates all shadows of doubt. Thanks Pastor.
Hi pastor, Thanks so much for your sharing. I have been thinking about this only one or two weeks back and was really hoping that you could share about this issue some time. I didn’t expect it to be so soon. :)
Looking at all the sharings above, I see that I am not alone in my thots. Also, I have learnt so much more about people’s views on people with tatts.
For starters, I acknowledge that it is a very real concern, the fear that people might use Pastor’s words to their advantage. But honestly, my take on this is that we can just pray against it, pray that people who read this would have enough wisdom to discern what’s right from what’s wrong; That ultimately, they should not only look at this minutely and apply it blindly, but remember also the 10 commandments and it’s implications; And that if these people do not have the wisdom, that their parents would, have sufficient wisdom to guide their children to do what’s right and not blame the church; lastly for the parents also to have sufficient grace and patience to teach with love.
Honestly speaking, I feel that they will meet with their maker in time and they will answer for themselves what they have done and why they did what they did. We can only guide them to the best ability we know how. They choose how they want to lead their lives…
This thread has been an eventful read. thanks guys, I’ve learnt so much. Good night… :)
Hi Pastor,
really blessed by this blog article. Really thought intriguing and insightful.
To Helen Lee: I think it could be because his tattoos were associated with his old life before Christ and God wanted to “demonstrate” to him that truly all things have passed away and a new life has begun with his baptism. =)
The only problem I have with tattoo is that when one becomes old it can look very ugly. Even if one tries to remove them, there will be still some marks left. :p
Great post :)
Especially like your summary,
“Ultimately, tattooing is a personal choice that, more often than not, reflects neither a rebellious nature nor a religious inclination. It is clearly written in the Bible that God looks beyond the surface and sees the heart of a person. We must be careful not to judge a believer with tattoos as loving God less than the one without.”
I comprehend that we must be careful too ourselves not to judge a person with tattoos and look beyond the surface to the heart of a person.
I would think that the impression of a person with tattoos is quite different across cultures, to some, it is considered a self expression, to others, it may be as art and I imagine to a few others, it is consider as doing bodily harm to thy self.
How Tattoos are viewed in the Western and Asia are quite different too, for many in the Western, inking the body with Tattoos may represent self expression but in other parts of the world as in Japan and Singapore, it could mean belonging to a certain society, thus I imagine the less acceptation of the tattoo culture here.
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Great insight too that you have related the line about tattooing is correlated to the history of a high probability of warning those against joining other sects.
It does also show that to understand the depth of a message, the environment does matter much too at times. Thanks again for this post :) Much appreciated.
Eric
Dear Eunice,
We do not condone the act of homosexuality. But we accept homosexuals in church because Jesus died for them as well.
I don’t exactly think that we are following the trend of the 21st century.
Rather, we want people to understand that we do not reject them, and there is nothing wrong in the sight of God to tattoo, go to pubs to chill out, listen to a good heavy metal bands like “Iron Maiden” or “Guns’n’Roses”. These are no-no’s imposed by “traditional Christian” thinking based on some religious reasoning that have no (or wrong) biblical reference/understanding. Similarly we do not reject homosexuals in church just because of who they are.
Tattooing is an issue in Christianity because there are many non-Christians who got or feel turned away just because they spotted tattoo. The Church have rejected or put a label on many people based on their outlward appearance (tattoos, homosexuals, smokers, drinkers, pubbers, overweight (chubby), underweight (bony), botoxed, silicon job, etc) and as a result many people were not able to really experience God because of the judgment put on them by religious Christians.
When I first came to church, I was made to feel so bad and inadequate because I came in my jeans and faded t-shirt and have no money to buy proper shirt, tie and pants (we were to put on our “Sunday best” which happens to be my best but not by the church standard). I almost left the church I visited initially because I was literally snubbed at and despised judgmentally. That was more than 10 years ago, and if only we had been so freed up then, there may not have been so much bitterness against the church and Christianity. And I can imagine today if we continue to be judgmental and condemning against the unsaved just by the way they look, then they will never want to come to church because of religious blokes. In some churches, even watching TV is condemned. I cannot imagine a new believer being told he cannot watch TV after he receive Jesus because it’s “demonic”. I will never want to be a Christian if that was the case because I love to watch Smurfs, Tom & Jerry, EPL, Discovery and NGC! God will be a wierdo.
God never judge a person for what he has on his body. Only the religious Christian do. And because some of these religious Christians are leaders in the church, it was seen as if they represented God and hence the conclusion that “God condemns” these people. There’s a debate because a old paradigm was being challenged to make way for transformation and restoration.
Like what Pastor shared in the article, tattooing is not for everyone. Not because it’s a “sin” or there’s any right/wrong issue, but it’s simply inappropriate in some situation. For example, I am a professional in the financial industry. Trust and stability are the most important traits that my clients look at because I handle their money, and they literally placed their financial future, retirement dreams, etc in my hands. I would not want to mess up my client’s trust in me by putting on anything other than a “clean cut” image.
Many of us, myself included, do color our hair and wear funky t-shirts (now we can wear jeans & t-shirt to church) when we come to weekend service because going to church should be a fun, loud and happy occasion rather than quiet and solemn (that’s a funeral). That’s acceptable to me for a weekend. God is a colorful and funky God. I mean He gave colors to rainbow, appeared in bright light, whirlwind (not a silent “pish”), used colorful descriptive words (e.g. tongues of fire, bowls of sorrow, etc).
In a more traditional sense, these would be taboos in those days (we’ll go through counseling for that haha) but there’s no reference whatever that God forbids it. And we “outlawed” it in the past because of this word called “perception” and another greater evil called “paradigm”.
It also does not mean that just because it’s ok to tattoo, every Christian must have a tattoo. That’s just crazy. So in a sense, we’re not following the world, but we want to be relevant to the world. People want to look at Christians and say that we are the same as them, not some “out of this world” creature that keep condemning and judging them for who they are.
What we are trying to tell the world and non-Christian is this. You can be looking or talking differently from the conservative Christian, yet God will love you the same. And we all in the church love you too. And we think that they are cool and we like what we see on their body. It’s never about the tattoo. My guess is some people got it all wrong.
We are not trying to follow the world. Rather, we want to be relevant to them. “Engage” and “penetrate” should be good words to use?
Keep Walking!
This is a really weak message about tattoos.
Yes, One man should never judge another’s faith because of a tattoo, but you can wonder what were they thinking?
Tatoos come from the Kingdom of darkness. Did Jesus do anything that is of pagin origin?
I think Christians should spend less time thinking about their flesh and more time thinking about how to advance the kingdom of God.
The flesh is evil. The flesh is sinful. Cover up your flesh and worship the Lord your God.
Dear Pastor,
Thanks for this post. I’ll be sharing this with my friends around me. I’m sure they’ll be encouraged. =)
Thank you Ps Kong,
I am a leader at CHANGE at C3 Oxford Falls, where tattoos are plentiful, including on me and my boyfriend. My boyfriend’s tattoos are actually highly religious, basically depicting his testimony in beautiful artwork. They are great conversation starters for many non-churched people, and have led to many conversations about God’s grace.
Gen-Y christians know the beauty of tattoos, and also the benefits of being able to reach a whole culture with love, that might otherwise be reached only by judgement. Be Greek to the Greek… be inked to the inked? It works for us.
Many of us at CHANGE look up to you Ps Kong. Thank you for being someone who promotes freedom and not judgement on our generation.
Thanks for the article Pst Kong. Though I do not have tattoos myself, but have friends who have them.
But I think on a personal view that it is pretty harmless as this is their choice and would respect it =)
Hey Ps Kong,
Thats funny. There is a program on the ABC tonight in Australia about this guy who wants to give his tattooed skin to the National Gallery.
He is planning to be taxidermed!! Check it out here!
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200904/programs/DO0722V001D14042009T220500.htm
As a proponent of free choice, would I have found peace before I had travelled my journey to far and back, although the truly devout people would justify blame, people have always needed to be able to express themselves.
Having travelled the tatoo world, I would give the advice of choose wisely, its permanent. all tatoos cannot be removed,
Great column and sound points delivered from all. “God Bless”
Im married to a kiwi, know a few Africans and grew up with several Aboriginals and what is interesting is that tattoos or decorating your body with cutting etc is not a fashion statement but rather a statement for their God (Idolatry) etc.
Tatts are now a fashion statement but where did they originate from?
WOW Pastor! Your article blowed my mind!
I saw from the link below how the devil has worked through this seemingly harmless piece of sharing from the wonderful pastor of the great CHC…
http://iammisstanyulin.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/the-tattoo-controversy/
Just to give you an idea of how a tattoo might look like, check out this tattoo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2X64F6IzQg
It don’t have to be demonic. It can be beautiful hurhurhur
Wow, Pastor.. Great post! It brings my level of understanding and thinking + perspective to the next level!!. Looking forward for your next post.. All of them always encourages me if not, making me learn something out of it. ;)
Great Article Pst! This is one of the most uneasy topic to be delivered in a church. Btw this article reminds me of this pastor that is pastoring a church that reaches out to the ‘rejected’ people, he used to be one of them, but after he got saved he became a radical Christian. Here’s the youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNMa1yAH1pA&feature=related
Thanks again for sharing Pastor.
Hi thanks for sharing your views on tattoo. I personally feel that we should no longer limit Christians in the way we live, otherwise, we will be obsolete in this society.
I think its perfectly fine to get a tattoo, piercing, etc, as long as you are of a legal age, and you have thought through it very thoroughly.
After all, a tattoo is something that will stay with you for LIFE, and you really would not want to do it on impulse, or just due to peer pressure.
My thoughts:
(1) Having tattoos prior before acceptance of Christ – Will Christ reject them? No! Is there a need to remove the tattoos after salvation? No! The old is gone and the new has come! Hallelujah!
(2) Christians thinking of tattooing (for whatever reasons) – It’s your choice. Anyway, pastor is not going to ban you from coming to church if you decided to do it. But, whenever it’s my choice, I would think – “Will I (or this action) glorify God ?”.
Lastly, for those seriously thinking of having tattoos, please take note of the possibilities of exposure to diseases/infections (HIV etc). Afterall, our bodies are temple of God. Once we believe in Christ, we don’t belong to ourselves anymore. We belong to God, from head to toe, in and out.
AWESOME…I AM GOING TO GET MINE… Thanks Pastor.. You are the Best..
Wow… Have always wanted to know how to properly talk about this issue….
Can’t wait to hear what’s next!
Thanks Pastor…
Your article doesn’t mention anything about being stumbling block…like what my previous pastor mentioned…if I get a tattoo… people around me will really think I’m rebellious…should I?
On a related issue…will this make it ok for me to smoke again?
Great post Pastor! Thanks for clearing the air. Personally, I feel that tattoos are a great way to express oneself aesthetically.
As an artist, its great to know that God is not restricted in any single way of expressing our love and creativity in a pure way.
Appreciate your time to post this up!
Josh.
Pastor, what an awesome insight into this topic. Very balanced and liberating! When I was studying in the States, I almost got a tatoo, just for fun. But, I didn’t because I did’t want to go through the pain of tatooing.
Anyway, this is awesome! Keep blogging!
Bro Ronald,
what i have learnt is that…
We are in the world, but we do not belong to the world.
Aren’t we should be different from the world?If we are the same as the world..who are we??
AND..why should we be relevant to the world?
we do anything relevant to His word..
Most of the things u are talking about focus on Human..
How they feel..how we reach out to them..
my point of view is :
We should always look up to Him..not to men..
i am not judging people with tattooed..in fact, i welcome them to the church!
My church does have a member who has tattoo…
But we love her..
i like ur comments bravo!!!
Praise God!
wow…. after reading this article, our doubt & quiries bout getting tatoo had cleared.
It is a great words for us.
Thanks a lot pastor for ur words & teaching.
Dear people who are reading,
i would still reserve my comments on tattoos as for me they are marks, things that are left on the body which are permanent. If you have something on your body which can cause another brother or sister to stumble in their faith, or the tattoo causes people who are pre-believing to stumble, then i think it might be a problem.
it is a social norm for a traditional and conservative society. i wonder as we move into a different era are we to say that the past era’s thoughts are all irrelevant today and are to be casted aside?
that i wonder.
I’m very agree with this article. Having a tattoo doesn’t mean that u’re a gangster, bad people, robber or whatsoever.
There is a quote saying, “We can’t judge the book by its cover.”
I don’t understand why there are some ridiculous people always judge people by appearance, often purposely trying to show off by being rude in the expression ways.
In Genesis, God created us (Human Beings) in His own image, we have a heart. And… we’re not robot who is heartless.
My main point is… search by his/her character first by using our heart before judging their appearance. There are some people nowadays having a tattoo on their bodies, but they don’t behave like gangsters. Some are even very kind and helpful.
As being a christian, or maybe unbelievers, we can’t be superstitious or over sensitive. This is a very bad character and nobody likes this kind of humans, I would say.
Pastor, thanks for sharing with us a lot of interesting articles. We look forward for more… =)
Thank you Pastor Kong for enlightening this subject. I got my tattoo before I got saved, For a long time I struggled with the idea of being a disappointment and being unacceptable and unpleasing. But yes, God does not look at the outward, but the heart. Thank you again! -Holly
Pastor, I am a 1yr old christian. Prior to accepting the Lord I have always wanted a tattoo. Now I am still thinking of getting one to honor our Lord Jesus. I am now a bible school student with AGBC. Should I be getting one? I know God sees the heart and I am not against tattoo myself but when i wish to get one eyes around me will give my the “nonspiritual look”. I need wisdom on this issue :(
[...] April 16, 2009 Before anything else, check out Pastor Kong’s blog for his take on tattoos, very [...]
“for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Sam 16:7
Thanx Pastor for your research & enlightenment, making the Word relevant for us today.
Hi,
thought this article was great in delivering the essence of accepting everyone as who they are, tattoo-ed or non-tattoo-ed.
I fully agree that whether we come to God with “marks” or not, God accepts us as we are.
That said, I do not think Pastor’s purpose of this article was to encourage us to actively seek to have tattoos. Neither do I think we need tattos to engage our generation, instead we need Christ’s compassion.
Further, besides the 5 points that Pastor mentioned, I do feel there’s another diemension we need to consider in getting a tattoo and its also found in the references that Pastor mentioned.
In summary:
Lev 19 – Spiritual Identification w an Idol / Religion
Isa 49 – God’s Spiritual Convenant with His people to always remember us
Rev 7 – Spiritual Identification w God
These are perhaps the more oft mentioned verses on tattoos and mark. Everyone of them has a spiritual significance tagged to it and this should highlight that there is a spiritual diemension that needs to be considered.
Till this day, tattoos are still used by various religions as a form of identification with their God. And often the tattooist is himself a believer of that religion if not someone of spiritual high-standing in that belief. Often prayers are made as the tattoos are being done. (I remember seeing a documentry of this on Arts Central about tattoos)
What I am saying is, should we desire to have a tattoo, we should bear in mind the spiritual identification that we are making with the tattoo and also with the tattooist. – You never know if your tattooist is silently saying a prayer over you as he “marks” you.
*I did not include the passage on Paul as Paul may have been refering to the physical scars that he bore on his body through persecution.
Good stuff Pastor! Keep posting!
Blessings!
Pastor =) this is so insightful,thanks for sharing =)
Ermm…. I will not disagree, but still do not encourage people to have tatto.
People who are thinking of having tattoo should really think twice.
there are many article and news reported that more more people REGRET having tattoo, many people went to NAtional Skin Centre to have their tattoo remove.
As we grow, our thinking will change & mature.
One of my daughter’s friend have tattoo in Sec1 and she left school, after 1 year, she regret, she want to come back to study, she got to go thru many round of treatment to remove it and it is painfull and have scar.
Sometime, I see old people have tattoo on their body, which they may done it during their young days, but the tattoo change colour, their skin sag, the tatoo change shape…. it ’s really ugly
http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Wellness%2B%2540%2BWork/Story/A1Story20090119-115790.html
I will not say people with tattoo are bad guy, but having tattoo on our body is really not a wise thing to do. There are “sticker” kind of tattoo, which anyone can stick for fun. Why go thru the painfully way.
Hi Pastor!
This is really indeed a great post. You have shown me in a different light in understanding “tattoos”.
But I do struggle with the thought that if i do get one, will it cause a younger Christian to stumble?
From understanding your point pastor, can we really divide Form and Substance so clearly for everything related secularly?
A few years ago, I visited a remote village in Sarawak, Malaysia where the older women’s legs were tattooed from ankles up to their thighs.
I asked a Nenek (granny) what were some examples of the good things Christianity have brought to their village. She named many things and one that she mentioned is that young girls don’t have to go through the painful tattooing anymore. Back then, it was done to appease village spirits.
I like your blog post, I think it is wise to examine the purpose of tattooing before getting one.
i still doubt if tattoos could bring spiritual benefits on those who use it. I still think that tattoos could be possible dangerous doorways for Satan to enter the christian’s life regardless your purpose of having them
I hope we don’t look at this article as pastor encouraging us to have tattoos. If we do, then I guess we’ve missed the whole point…
All he’s trying to say is, there’s nothing wrong IF you love tattoos and want to get one. And that if someone has a tattoo(s), it’s perfectly fine – he’s not some kind of demon infested freak. And we don’t have to fear someone with a tattoo or despise him or allienate him… we still just love him :)
And most importantly, he’s saying, IF you really want a tattoo, you should count the cost of the permanent effects.
Thank you so much for the approval Pastor. I would also like to know if piercings are ok. And how about laughter, or talking with homosexuals?
Thank the lord we have you to instruct us. Otherwise we might have to think for ourselves or rely on things like logic, science, evidence, freedom or creativity to guide our lives.
why the topic on tattoos? well, why not right? i thought it was well written but i have a nagging suspicion that some high profile member is going to get a tattoo hence this prelude so that people do not judge her/him? i am waiting and hoping this is not cleverly crafted for this purpose. i have immense respect for pastor kong and am hoping that my suspicion will not be confirmed.
How would you react if your son Dyan gets a tattoo one day?
Thank you Pastor for sharing such a wonderful insight.
I am surprised by all the comments here about how ugly tattoos are and that Christians should spend less time thinking about them.
To me, they are a form of art. Each tattoo tells a different story by the one who’s wearing them. It could represent one’s personality, it could be a tribute to someone (like a loved one who passed away), it could be a significant event to someone’s life, it could be an inspiration, etc.
If a tattoo doesnt tell a story, it is just merely a decoration. And those are the people who regret getting one.
How could someone regret something that says who they are and what they believe in? I would care less of what people are gonna say about it no matter how ugly, all wrinkled, and old my skin gets. Because it has a deeper personal meaning.
Thanks Ps.
I recalled a year or 2 ago, I got into a discussion on tattoos with my sister and her husband.
In principle, I am of the same thought as you had mentioned here but not so smart to go into such detailed and clear analyses. However, I was immediately shot down by my sister who was then attending SOT. She stated that “Ps Kong was against tattooing one body” and because you said so, so it is right. No further discussion allowed. (Having said that, my sister is a really nice person but a bit on a rigid side and at time curt.)
Kind of upset with her but did not want to pursue. Actually thought of writing to you to clarify then. Just didn’t get around to do it but now I got the answer…. Thank you again… ; )
Hi Pastor,
Great great message. Now I know how to answer my friends who asks me about tattoos. :)
Hi Pastor,
I had a HUGE tattoo of a dragon done on my back when I was 14. That was when I was hanging out with the wrong crowd and going through a rough time at home. I finally had a revelation to redo the whole thing after 10 yrs (which was last year) into a beautiful garden and I love it! I can totally relate to what you have written and I’m so blessed. Thanks Pastor!!
This is a good and practical article. Clear up the issue that is very relevant to today’s world. Thks Pastor, I learn a new thing today. :)
Pastor, I sincerely do not agree with your point of view. We can dress and express style and memorable times in our lives in many ways without putting a permanent mark on the flesh. Tatoos are the example of expression that came from idolatrous religious practices and Christians want to carry on that practice as a freedom of expression. Really? As hard as it may be at times, why can’t Christians simply walk away from any appearance of being like the world instead of trying to rationalize their decision to look like the world? It requires sacrifice and a laying down of worldly things and not walking a fence. We talk about looking at the heart. OK then. If we want tatoos as a way of expression, then there may be something deeper going on in the heart that we may need freedom from. Every command & guideline God has given comes from His heart of love to protect us. Tatoos are rooted in a paganistic religious act, the realm of God’s enemy. It’s dangerous for our soul to open doors of opportunity for the devil. There is an unseen spiritual realm and Satan is looking for those he can steal from, kill and destroy. We should run from anything tied to roots of demonic activity.
I believe it is a lie that we have to look like to the world to reach them. Christ didn’t. He was who he was and followed righteousness no matter how much it caused him to sacrifice things his flesh might want. When we have to slice and dice words and meanings of the scriptures on these issues many times we are looking for a way to excuse an action that would not be above reproach. This is similar to a young person saying well, how far can i really go in making out that doesn’t cross the line of fornication or sexual sin? Come on. When the world sees a christian look and talk and act just like them, they think christians want to be like them. Let’s get real, Christians and be what we profess to be or NOT.
@ Stanley, in solidarity with you bro.
@ Amy Tan, thank-you for sharing that beautiful testimony. I can be abit blunt sometimes, my apologies. I do agree sentimental G-d expressions tattoo or earrings are treasures from G-d. May she grow her full wings :)
thanks P KH – enjoyed the article. had mixed feelings previously about tattoos because of the leviticus passage. thanks for clearing this up.
Wow Pastor, thanks for shedding the light on what the Bible really says about the kind of tattoos that are prohibited. This will really equip us to answer questions related to this topic!
Hi pastor, this article has clarified my sediments about tattoos. Thank you!
It’s sad however to see Christians pickering over this and like many other matters. I perceive it boils down to one word – “religion.”
I was in a traditional church for 7 years, before I ground myself in a charismatic church for 12 years now, and I see why.
There’s no perfect church. We have ALL put God in a box at some point in time regardless of any church, movement or individuals like myself.
Somehow Christians and Churches, having a “relationship with God” (or Religion) could fall trap into an “artificial” sense of superiority which could fabricate into an “invisible” trace of self-righteousness. I have been a victim of religious mindset and am aware that it’s a constant fight by putting on the mind of Christ in humility and love.
Love you Pst Kong
Dear Pastor Kong,
I felt this article is really wonderful and great. It clears alot of doubts that many people have on tattoing and whether as christians should we tatto or not? Thank you very much for sharing and I agree with your thoughts.
Hi Pastor, I think your message is awesome! You’ve shed some light on this very issue which has evoked many controversies over the years. It’s deemed as a stigma; very much frowned upon, esp by the Asian societies. Tattoos are often identified with negative associations of some shape or form.
My take on this? I see it as an outward expression of a person’s inner being, it could be done for the sake of sentimental value, for remembrance or even as a mark of love & adoration for a beloved someone. Thanks for taking the step forward to address this. I’m sure this article has enlightened many of us out there. :)
Thanks again Pastor!!!!
your article is obviously slanted to justify that tattoos are acceptable. it is a slippery route as the same arguments can then be used to justify all other sorts of practices prohibited under biblical law.
there is always a good reason for every law instituted by God our Father and it is always for protection and preservaation of his people because he so love us.
why is it not healthy or unnatural to have tattoos ?
first, it is a health risk. ask any medical professional about the risks of infection and diseases transmitted thru the use of any needle or tattoing apparutus, and also possible allergic reaction to they dyes used. just as smoking is not advised as it harms our body, altho it is not illegal, so shouldn;t we adopt the same cautionary approach to tattooing since the skin is the body’s largest organ?
second, and this came from my teenage daughter, she noticed that tattoos can become addictive, and costly too. her frens usually start with something small and usually on a moment of impulse or peer pressure. then they regret and try to mask it by doing something bigger. and then bigger or more bizarre and more accessories added. just look at the tattoo conference that was recently held. and some of hre friends starve so as to save their pocket money to finance this addiction.
i certainly do not appreciate if my child’s pastor openly support or encourage it and expose my child to unnecessary temptation or health risk.
sorry.
very useful. thx for sharing~!
@sara Tay
Pastor is not saying “Hey guys! Tatoos are cool! Go get it! It’s OK!”
I believe that he’s saying, if you have been wanting to have tatoos all along, and you find it to be cool and nice, but because you are a christian, you have certain reservations because you are afraid you sin or others might judge you, then you should go ahead guilt-free… guilt and fear is a crippling tool that the devil uses to stop us from growing or ever gaining any progress in life…
I think he’s also saying to other christians not to reject or judge other people (christians included) just because they have tatoos as it will be counter productive to fulfilling the Great Commission which is the big picture in God’s plan.
The medical risks of having a tatoo have been highlight by him in the article. He also adviced readers to seriously consider before having a tatoo because it’s not suitable for everyone.
An article does not have the influence to cause a person to make a decision. Information only provides an angle for critical decision making. The human will is the ultimate decision maker.
In other words, nobody can make your daughter get a tatoo except she herself wants it. And it’s good that she made good observation from her friends example and developed judgment from there. That shows maturity. Otherwise she’d have joined her friends!
A person must first want something to have something. Your daughter cannot do something unless she first decides she wants it. Temptations will always be around. It’s all up to us how to manage it.
We cannot avoid talking about such issues because it’s critical and relevant to defining a society nowadays (esp the younger people). Noboody wants to talk about veils and grandfather checkered boxers nowadays.
Besides, avoiding sensitive amoral “Christian issues” like these won’t strengthen a believer. That only makes weak christians because they have been sheltered too much form the wiles of life and the world. Proper upbringing, values incultivation, discipleship, spiritual training and disciplines will help to put these issues into the correct perspective and make a better person… not by avoiding the discussions of such issues… sex education is a good example in context of today’s youth… look what a mess we’ve been because parents avoided talking about the birds and the bees… they ended up experimenting and get their lives messed up… the more we avoid it, the worse it gets.
No Pastor can make a person do something against his own will. Firstly, he’s no “God” or “scientist” who can make mind control devices. Secondly, we’re not stupid. We have something called common sense to help us make sound choices.
A Pastor’s responsibility is to disciple, guide and teach us the ways of God, including at times show us the things of the world for context, and help us to see it properly from the right perspective. Not control a bunch of zombies…
I can understand your concern, and you can trust that your daughter’s cell leader will take good care and provide proper guidance over her life…
To have or not to have tatoos, I think she knows very well the answer from her friends’ plight. But she will also know that it’s no big deal someone having tatoos, and there’s no need to shun, avoid or judge the person. Jesus loves him/her just the same as He loves you and I.
So you’re dying to get a tatoo and don’t want to deal with the hassle of the misperceptions etc ??
Get a tatoo where only the most intimate, understanding person in your life can see it :)
GOD bless u all
i find what you say is very help ful thank you pastor .to make sure i donnot make tatoos on my skin when i grow up
to sara tay:
having a tattoo or not would still boil down to one’s thinking and perception about tattoo. if your daughter tattoos something like “I love Jesus”, or simply “I LOVE MY MOM”, so is it a bad thing? are you gonna blame Pastor Kong for it?
its not like as if P. Kong said “TATTOOS ARE TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE IN THE EYES OF GOD AND THEY ARE HOLY.”
whatever Pastor has written here, it is based on his opinion alone. he did not CLAIM that it is entirely right or entirely wrong. he just wrote it based on his personal perception on tattoos, drinking, masturbation etc etc.
P. Kong’s not like pointing a gun at your head or whatsoever. don’t blame everything on him. if your daughter goes astray, are you not responsible too? as a mum, it is YOUR responsibility to teach your daughter on what’s right and wrong.
fyi, P. Kong serves God, but he is NOT God. don’t render him to be a perfect and blameless pastor please. “For all fall short of the glory of God…” give him some credit.
:)
We sincerely feel that as christians, we should not have any association with tattoos. Here is another article with another perspective.
“Tattoo fashion” among youths
The New Paper (22 and 23 June, 2009) reported cases of schoolchildren in Singapore getting themselves tattooed on various parts of their body. In Hong Kong, the UK and California State, it is an offence for those under 18 years to be tattooed, and once a tattoo has been done, it is extremely difficult and painful to remove, and it leaves horrible scarring.
For Christians, the act of tattooing is an offence against the body which is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19, 20). We reprint an article on this “Pagan Practice” from Christian News, May 12, 2008.
Tattooing is all the craze. It is the new rock & roll fashion statement. What is the history of tattooing? It is a pagan practice and has long been associated with idolatry and debauchery. Even today it is closely associated with paganism. An article by Clay Thompson in the Pacific News Service for July 27, 1996, was titled “Pagan Fashion’s New Frontier – Facial Tattoos.” Note that the author, who in this article makes no claim to be a Christian, associated tattoos with paganism. He connects it with a “new reverence for pagan beliefs.” A prominent book on tattooing is titled “Pagan Fleshworks.” It is by Maureen Mercury and contains photos of Steve Haworth, identified as “the foremost body modification artist in the United States.” “Body modification” describes the practice of burning, inking, cutting, piercing, and otherwise desecrating one’s God-given body. A 2003 survey of more than 2,000 people in the United States, reported in the AFP for Oct. 11, 2003, found that among women who get tattoos, 34%, “feel sexier,” and 29% overall “feel more rebellious.” It is not surprising that the Christian rock crowd, being only the slightest step behind the world in all points, is adopting tattooing from their pagan secular brethren.
God’s Word says: “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD” (Lev 19:28). “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess 5:22).
Im a baby christian, after my acceptance, i only found joy and delight in the lord word’s and his world. For my eyes become aware of the fallen world and all the worldly sins around us. i also become more sensitive to how carnal the flesh is. i also become more sensitive to my own actions because i realise it does have an impact to my surroundings.
We all deals with our own individuals’ deeply rooted sins of the flesh daily. We all find ways to let the pressure out. We all have our own preferences and ways to identify or project our own individuality or identity, similar to our own name. (be it a tatoo, a LV bag, a unique pair of earrings). these we deals with daily.
As a baby christian, i do not think i have the wisdom to comment or dictate the rights or wrongs of the issue, but as a christian, i speak my mind. “lest not i cause stumble to my brothers”
To me, a tatoo is a picture on the skin, a picture tells a thousand words or decipher a thousand meanings. If my hearts tells me my tatoo maybe offensive to someone, i will hide it or do it on my back where its always away from sight if i had to do it.
But to those who wrote strongly and gave a strong affirmation on whether tatts are right or wrong, will you be able to accept a fellow brother or sister wholeheartely with tatts after your such a conclusive or even near jugemental perception is give?
To those who wrote freely on agreeing, are we sure our tatts are not offensive, are we sure we might not mislead in anyway to our friends or brethen or those of a lesser faith?
To me the above issue is a form of personal enjoyment and a personal choice to make, but all our choices now will comes with a form of responsibility to our master/lord and to our brethen.
To me, we are given wisdom and knowledge to consider and act for the benificial good of the main body but we are not given wisdom and knowledge to judge.
apologies if i offend anyone with my comments.
God bless all.
Pastor,
you are right, removal of Tattoos are so much more Painful and expensive! I tattooed my right side of my back since i was 15 yrs old. It was really after a painful relationship, that i decided to go tattoo my body. But ever since i turned my ways from the rotten days, i regretted doing that tattoo. However, i believe that God had made me a live testimony to the people out there who have tattoos on their bodies and to those who feel ashame of their past. I had tried laser treatments thrice, and each time cost me $535. The pain had caused me consecutive a few sleepless nights each time. It was terrible!! I did that just before my wedding, to look good with the bare-back wedding gown. So, like what pastor said, think twice if you guys really wana tattoo.
Pastor Kong Hee’s blog “What about tattoo.” Here is a real life example of a inmate whose only way is to remove tattoo. “It’s not difficult to cut ties with gangs but the tattoo removal is painful. But it must be done if I want to change my life,” Ahmad added. Only inmates who have shown good behaviour and are committed to severing gang ties will be considered for this free treatment. Our CG have 2 tattoo brothers, and we love them. If you read Pastor Kong’s blog, there is one witness of how Lord Jesus had helped to remove tattoo. You need faith and believing in 4th dimension that tattoo be remove and it will. But most importantly, you have to have the Tattoo of sins being engraved in your mind and heart removed by receiving Lord Jesus as Lord and Salvation, freely receiving Eternal life.
Here is the link to Todayonline Edition of the article, Today, 29/7/2009
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090729-0000066/Erasing-the-past
Pastor Kong I heard some time ago you talk about Esther submitting herself to go through the perfuming process and others in the “beauty contest”. You used that to deduce that it’s ok for women to use cosmetics etc.
Well by the same logic then it’s must also be alright to marry non Christians because she married a pagan in the same passage.
wow…….. i actually really, really like this balanced article on tattoos. i like that you don’t outrightly condemn it. very very well written. :)
LunaG on July 5th, 2009 1:27 am
Im a baby christian, after my acceptance, i only found joy and delight in the lord word’s and his world. For my eyes become aware of the fallen world and all the worldly sins around us. i also become more sensitive to how carnal the flesh is. i also become more sensitive to my own actions because i realise it does have an impact to my surroundings.
We all deals with our own individuals’ deeply rooted sins of the flesh daily. We all find ways to let the pressure out. We all have our own preferences and ways to identify or project our own individuality or identity, similar to our own name. (be it a tatoo, a LV bag, a unique pair of earrings). these we deals with daily.
As a baby christian, i do not think i have the wisdom to comment or dictate the rights or wrongs of the issue, but as a christian, i speak my mind. “lest not i cause stumble to my brothers”
To me, a tatoo is a picture on the skin, a picture tells a thousand words or decipher a thousand meanings. If my hearts tells me my tatoo maybe offensive to someone, i will hide it or do it on my back where its always away from sight if i had to do it.
But to those who wrote strongly and gave a strong affirmation on whether tatts are right or wrong, will you be able to accept a fellow brother or sister wholeheartely with tatts after your such a conclusive or even near jugemental perception is give?
To those who wrote freely on agreeing, are we sure our tatts are not offensive, are we sure we might not mislead in anyway to our friends or brethen or those of a lesser faith?
To me the above issue is a form of personal enjoyment and a personal choice to make, but all our choices now will comes with a form of responsibility to our master/lord and to our brethen.
To me, we are given wisdom and knowledge to consider and act for the benificial good of the main body but we are not given wisdom and knowledge to judge.
apologies if i offend anyone with my comments.
God bless all.
LunaG,
WOW! I’m really impressed with your comment. Full of grace, wisdom and love.
Put me to shame really.
God bless you, LunaG
Pastor Kong you are always encouraging Christians to live on the edge as close to the world as possible, have as much of the world as possible, just on border of but not offending God.
Always looking for loopholes in situations where the Bible is silent about and say it’s personal preference.
The Bible is silent about gambling, 4D, lottery etc. Can I do it?
[...] What About Tattoos? | Kong Hee http://www.konghee.com/www/2009/04/what-about-tattoos – view page – cached Tattoos have become a mark of the 21st century. According to the August 4, 2008, issue of U.S. News & World Report, more than one quarter of those under — From the page [...]
Before tattoo was an “in” thing nobody wanted to “express” themselves. But now that it has become a trend promoted by Hollywood, suddenly everybody has the urge to “express” themselves through tattoos. Wonder where the urge come from.
Are they no better ways of expressing themselves besides tattooing? Is it necessary to go through the painful process of bleeding for the sake of “art”? What if after some time it’s no longer an “in” thing to have a tattoo? Remove them as there is no longer any urge to “express” themselves? What a silly thing to do!
Arts are meant to serve man, not the other way round!
hi lunaG,
glad that u were expressing your views. i pray that you’ll got to know God even more deeply ok? :)
regards,
Van
No tattoos is not ok. Not sexvideos either! It´s time to turn back to God now mr Hee.
I prefer living by grace, not by the law. My husband has a tattoo and this doesn’t make him bad at all. He loves God and people even more than some christians who hasn’t tattoos. However, God uses him to serve others and shows his love everyday.